📚 A New Chapter Begins: Tess Mayer Appointed as Pima County's Library Director
Learn about Tess Mayer's diverse background and her commitment to community engagement.
😽 Keepin’ It Simple Summary for Younger Readers
👧🏾✊🏾👦🏾
📚 Tess Mayer is going to be the new boss of the Pima County Public Library starting in 2025. She has worked with libraries for a long time in different places like Seattle and Berkeley, and she loves helping people find information that can change their lives. 😊 Tess is excited to work with her team to make libraries a place where everyone feels welcome and can find the things they need. 🌟
🗝️ Takeaways
📅 New Leadership: Tess Mayer will officially begin her role as Pima County Public Library's Director on September 2, 2025.
📚 Extensive Experience: Tess brings over 15 years of public library leadership, including roles in Seattle and Berkeley.
🌍 Culturally Rich Background: Her diverse experiences include teaching in Venezuela and studying in New York.
🤝 Community Focus: Tess values transparency, equity, and engagement, core to her library service vision.
🗣️ Vision for the Future: Tess aims to advance equitable and inclusive library services in collaboration with the community.
Welcoming Tess Mayer as the 16th Library Director!
Effective September 2, 2025, Tess Mayer will assume the role of Pima County Public Library's 16th director. Her appointment follows the retirement of Amber Mathewson, who served in the position from 2017 to June 2025.
Tess Mayer joins the Pima County Public Library with over 15 years of experience in public library leadership, most recently serving as Director of the Berkeley Public Library. Prior to moving to California, Tess served as the Director of Library Outreach, Programs, and Services for the King County Library System (KCLS) in Washington.
Prior to KCLS, Tess spent ten years with the Seattle Public Library, where she held multiple roles including Senior Librarian, Branch Manager, Outreach Services Manager, and Downtown Regional Manager. She holds a master’s degree in Library and Information Science from the University of Washington and a bachelor's degree in American and Multiethnic Studies from Bard College.
Tess was raised in Southern California before attending college in New York and then working and traveling in South America. She taught English in Caracas, Venezuela, later moving to Seattle, WA, where she attended graduate school.
As a leader, Tess brings commitment to community and staff engagement, transparency, and equity. Her passion for connecting people with information that can change lives led her to work in public libraries.
In anticipation of joining the Pima County library system, Tess says, "I am excited and honored to work alongside such a creative and talented staff. Together we will continue to advance the important work of creating equitable and inclusive library service for all, and engage our community in the development of this vision."
Deputy County Administrator Steve Holmes says, "We are looking forward to welcoming Tess to Southern Arizona and working with her to shape the future of the library and continuing to serve a diverse Pima County."
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